The Universal Service Fund (USF) NG OFC projects have served 37.1 million people, deployed 4,400 telecom sites, and laid down 17,200 km of fiber optic capable across Pakistan over 161 projects, revealed IT and Telecom Minister Shahza Fatima.
Fatima made this address as the chief guest at the Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation event organized by USF in collaboration with Jazz in connection with International Girls in ICT Day 2025 in Islamabad.
She added that Pakistan’s underserved communities are getting connected through USF’s NG OFC projects. By connecting remote areas to the digital world, USF has empowered women, startups, freelancers, and social media influencers to tap into new opportunities, driving economic growth and innovation.
PM Mian Shahbaz Sharif distributed 1.2 million laptops among the youth during his tenure. The IT Ministry provided online freelancing training to 4.5 million people through DG Skills Programs.
This year, the Prime Minister has provided funds of Rs. 23 billion to the USF. The Ministry of IT & Telecommunication will continue to lead this journey with inclusivity at its core. “However, we need all of you—as mentors, investors, role models, and allies—to accelerate this momentum,” Ms. Shaza Fatima emphasized.
USF CEO Mudassar Naveed said that as an organization, USF is committed to connecting the unconnected. The mandate is simple yet powerful: to expand high-speed telecom infrastructure to the farthest and most underserved regions of Pakistan. When a new village comes online through a USF-funded OFC network or mobile tower, more people gain access to the world. They can now stream a tutorial, join an online class, or connect to a global community.
The chief executive further said that USF had not started any new project for the last 2 years since its focus was on timely completion of ongoing projects, while on the other hand, the goal was to complete field and technical work for new projects as per the directions of the Federal Minister for IT and the Board of Directors.
Naveed revealed that USF has issued tenders for 16 projects, which means the formal phase of starting the projects has begun. In upcoming projects, the USF is set to connect districts like Sialkot, Sanghar, Jhang, Sajawal, and Tando Muhammad Khan to high-speed Fiber infrastructure.
As for Next Generation Broadband for Sustainable Development (NG-BSD) projects, it will reach districts like Badin, Chiniot, Abbottabad, Kalat, Umar Kot, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Kohat, and Khuzdar. NGBSD (Small Lot): Attock, Sargodha, Khushab, Bahawalnagar, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, Haripur, Mansehra, Mirpur Khas, and Sanghar.